About James Turle
Lived 1802 – 1882 (aged 80). James Turle was a British organist and composer.
James Turle (5 March 1802 – 28 June 1882) was an English organist and composer, best known today as the writer of several widely sung Anglican chants and the hymn tune "Westminster" sung to the words of Frederick William Faber "My God, how wonderful thou art".
Turle was born at Taunton, Somerset, and started as a choirboy at Wells Cathedral. In 1817 he became a pupil of George Ebenezer Williams, organist at Westminster Abbey in London, and after acting as deputy for some years he succeeded to this post himself in 1831 and held it until his death. He and Sir John Goss, the organist at St Paul's Cathedral, had been fellow pupils in London as boys. Turle was a great organist in his day, and composed a good deal of church music which was well known. His son Henry Frederic Turle (1835–1883) was a journalist.
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Important facts
People in James Turle's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Turle's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Turle?
English organist and composer (1802-1882)
When was James Turle born?
James Turle was born on 5 March 1802 in Taunton.
When did James Turle die?
James Turle died on 28 June 1882.
What was James Turle's occupation?
James Turle was an organist and composer.
What nationality was James Turle?
James Turle was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Turle. https://biography.guide/james-turle/
MLA: "James Turle." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-turle/.
Chicago: "James Turle." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-turle/.
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